NDP international development critic Helene Laverdiere. (ANDRE FORGET/QMI AGENCY)

OTTAWA — Opposition parties accused the feds of muzzling bureaucrats at the Canadian International Development Agency.

The Grits and the NDP say a "loyalty oath" in the new code of conduct at the aid agency goes too far by barring government workers from publicly criticizing the department.

But the government says it's simply part of the code of ethics the government developed in concert with the public service.

"It's in line with the values and ethics of the public sector, which expects certain standards of ethical behaviour," Treasury Board President Tony Clement told the House during question period Thursday.

NDP international development critic Helene Laverdiere expressed concern the code could be used to silence whistleblowers in the department.

Clement responded that if whistleblowers find any wrongdoing, the government "would welcome and indeed expect" them to bring it to the attention of the public and relevant authorities.